System for evaluating and promoting development in persons with severe disabilities

• US 6,511,442 B1
• Filed: 03/03/2000
• Issued: 01/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Anthrotronix Incorporated (AT KidSystems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Catholic University of America (Catholic University)
• Inventors: Blanarovich, Adrian, Lathan, Corinna E., Tracey, Micheal
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINGOOD, PAMELA LYNN
• Application Number:
  US09/518,194
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 600/544, 600/545, 600/546, 600/547, 600/587-595, 180/6--, 901/30-39, 901/2-13, 434/112-117
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/16 Devices for psychotechnics using teaching or educational appliances G09B1/00 - G09B7/00; Testing reaction times ; Devices for evaluating the psychological state
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/28 for medicine

Abstract

A novel system for augmenting human function using personal augmentation devices (PADs), controlled by physiological signals for the purpose of navigating and manipulating the external environment is provided. The system utilizes a variety of sensors connected to a data acquisition box (DAQ) to detect movement of a user. The DAQ, which is comprised of a microprocessor, will control the PAD according to the sensed user movement, thus mapping user input to user output. Controlling of the PAD provides important feedback to the user concerning manipulation of their external environment. In one embodiment, feedback concerning movement of the PAD is provided using a virtual reality system. This system allows people with severe disabilities to remotely interact with their environment using a PAD, thereby unlocking cognitive abilities, promoting curiosity, and providing sense of entitlement to explore, as well as allowing development to continue. A feature of this system is to map the user'"'"'s inputs with outputs as a function of feedback. Users will then be able to learn input-output mappings based on the level of their physical control.

Claims

1. A method of evaluating and training for the development of cognitive, functional and perceptual skills, comprising:

detecting the input of a user with one or more sensors, wherein said one or more sensors comprises one or more EMG sensors to detect movement of said user;

mapping the input of said user to controls of a personal augmentation device by a microcontrolled data acquisition box;

analyzing the output of said EMG sensor using a comparator and a counter; and

producing a pulsed output indicative of said detected movement of said user.

2. The method recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

conditioning said input through filtering, averaging, and/or calibrating to generate modified data;

storing said modified data in a database for subsequent evaluation; and

evaluating said modified data by analyzing characteristics of said data for occurrence of specific events in said modified data.

3. The method recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

providing feedback to said user from said personal augmentation device.

4. A system for evaluating and training for the development of cognitive, functional and perceptual skills, said system comprising:

one or more sensors for generating input data;

data acquisition means for acquiring said input data;

mapping means for mapping said input data to controls of a personal augmentation device; and

feedback means for providing environmental conditions of said personal augmentation device to a user.

5. A system for evaluating and training for the development of cognitive, functional and perceptual skills, said system comprising:

one or more sensors for generating input data;

data acquisition means for acquiring said input data; and

mapping means for mapping said input data to controls of a personal augmentation device, wherein said mapping means comprises signal conditioning means for conditioning said input data to generate modified data, storing means for storing said modified data in a database for subsequent evaluation, and evaluating means for evaluating said modified data by analyzing characteristics of said data for occurrence of specific events in said modified data.

6. A system for evaluating and training for the development of cognitive, functional and perceptual skills, said system comprising:

one or more sensors for generating input data, wherein said one or more sensors comprises one or more EMG sensors to detect movement of said user;

data acquisition means for acquiring said input data;

mapping means for mapping said input data to controls of a personal augmentation device;

analyzing the output of said EMG sensor using a comparator and a counter; and

producing a pulsed output indicative of said detected movement of said user.

7. A system for evaluating and training for the development of cognitive, functional and perceptual skills, said system comprising:

one or more sensors for generating input data;

data acquisition means for acquiring said input data;

mapping means for mapping said input data to controls of a personal augmentation device,

conditioning means for conditioning said input through filtering, averaging, and/or calibrating to generate modified data;

storing means for storing said modified data in a database for subsequent evaluation; and

evaluating means for evaluating said modified data by analyzing characteristics of said data for occurrence of specific events in said modified data.